Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was a Spanish explorer and navigator born in 1519 in Asturias, Spain. He is best known for founding St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565, which is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. Menéndez was tasked with establishing a Spanish presence in North America and protecting it from French encroachment. Menéndez's expedition was significant for its military and colonial achievements. He led a fleet that successfully defeated the French Huguenots at Fort Caroline, securing Spanish control over the region. His efforts contributed to the expansion of the Spanish Empire in the New World.